Indonesia is a country rich in culture. From its people, religions, languages, and diverse cultures, it’s spread throughout Indonesia. We have various ethnic groups with their own unique traditions. From religious traditions to regional festivals to celebrations of major holidays, each event has its own uniqueness. And know that behind all of these, there’s a profound meaning that makes them more than just customs, but also valuable. They have unique meanings and even legends and beliefs held by the local population.
Bali may be a small island, but that’s what fascinates me. It’s not like the large, densely populated island of Java with its many trinkets, although history suggests that Bali was once connected to Java. As I once heard, “small but spicy.” Bali holds so much treasure within it. Kutai Beach is a beach that’s internationally renowned and on everyone’s wishlist for a vacation.
Indonesia’s natural beauty doesn’t stop there. As a warm, tropical country, there are many other natural destinations to visit, boasting indescribable natural splendor. Furthermore, Indonesia’s natural beauty is interwoven with the traditions of its local people. They are inseparable, and customs and traditions passed down through generations further strengthen the bonds of community life in this country.
This time, I’ll focus on the region I mentioned earlier: Bali. I’ve never been there, but traveling there has been on my vacation bucket list since I was a child. One day, when the opportunity arises, I’ll be thrilled. I’ll balance the excitement I feel after the long wait with the new knowledge I can find, whether through books or the internet.
Bali is renowned for its strong Hindu religion and traditions. These traditions are deeply rooted in the values of Hindu Dharma and the Tri Hita Karana philosophy, which signifies balance between humans and God, nature, and each other. The lives of the people are inseparable from ancestral heritage, passed down from generation to generation. With these strong values, it’s no surprise that Muslims are a minority in Bali.
As a Muslim, I’m completely unfamiliar with their traditions. Perhaps they feel the same way about me or those of us who are Muslim. Major religious celebrations like Nyepi (Day of Silence), where no one leaves the house, the lights are turned off, and the atmosphere is completely silent and still for 24 hours. Although I’ve never experienced it firsthand, I can’t even imagine it. I don’t know what I would do if I were in that position.
This is where tolerance is built. The beauty of tolerance is when it is implemented willingly and becomes a habit for Indonesians. Differences are not allowed to be weaknesses, but rather are turned into strengths for us as Indonesian citizens. Despite our diverse ethnicities and cultures, we respect and honor each other’s beliefs. Maintaining friendships and fostering healthy relationships with tolerance, from cultural to religious, is one of the most interesting things I’ve discovered about Bali. This tradition takes place the night before Nyepi. It involves the presence of giant statues with evil faces and auras that are paraded through the villages. These works of art symbolize Bhuta Kala (negative energy) and are created by talented artists. On Pengerupukan night (the night before Nyepi), Balinese people and tourists alike flock to see these giant statues being carried together, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. This Nyepi night tradition is called “Ogoh-ogoh.”
At first, I thought this tradition was terrifying because it featured such terrifying statues. Imagine how crowded it would be, not only with locals but also with tourists curious about the event. Everyone would jostle, from those carrying the giant statues being lifted together to spectators holding cameras high, ready to record and take photos for their own collections. The diverse crowds colored the event, helping to enliven the celebration with excitement.
Many assumed this tradition was based on a true story. It turns out the story behind “Ogoh-ogoh” is simply a myth believed by locals. This story has been passed down from generation to generation since ancient times. The apparitions on these giant statues are not based on real creatures that once existed in this world. Sourced from Hindu mythology and Balinese folk legends, these terrifying forms are deliberately created to resemble monsters and giants to represent negative symbols of human nature, such as evil, arrogance, envy, anger, and other vices. On the other hand, this serves as a reminder to humans that evil is terrifying.
“Ogoh-ogoh” comes from the Balinese word “ogah-ogah,” which means to shake. These giant statues are paraded around villages and even to busy areas like main streets for display. These intersections are considered centers of natural energy, where the ogoh-ogoh are performed or shaken. It is believed that the ogoh-ogoh, or statues, absorb negative energy from the surrounding area. After the procession, they are taken to a cemetery to be burned as a symbol of the eradication of evil and the cleansing of the earth before Nyepi Day.
As in other religious ceremonies, the Ngaben ceremony (cremation) involves burning the body until it turns to ashes. The cremation is interpreted as purifying the soul before it returns to its original state. This ceremony honors the deceased, and it is believed that their spirit will rest in the afterlife, as the body has been purified by the cremation. However, the Ngaben ceremony isn’t actually held immediately after death. Some ceremonies store the body for several days before burning it to ashes.
But don’t assume that all ogoh-ogoh statues are simply burned. With all the effort that goes into creating such masterpieces, it would be a shame to burn them. Some are carefully preserved as souvenirs. Others are deliberately displayed to showcase the fruits of their labor. Who knows, they might serve as a reference for future ogoh-ogoh creations.
If you’re in an urban area, these statues will be brought and centered in iconic areas, such as the Ground Zero area in Kuta or the Catur Muka Statue in Bali’s capital, Denpasar. These areas will be filled with enthusiastic and excited people watching the tradition. Streets are even blocked by the crowds and dense crowds. Many tourists also come to Bali specifically to witness this grand celebration. The faces of the spectators will display expressions of awe and horror at the same time. They’re amazed by the excitement and uniqueness of the tradition, and terrified by the terrifying aura emanating from the giant statues.
There are many lessons to be learned from this ogoh-ogoh celebration. Besides its religious significance, this activity also involves many people in its preparation. The statues require not only talented artists but also community assistance in their creation. This work is carried out by young men and women from each banjar or village with mutual cooperation and collaboration so as to create harmony and togetherness in the community in celebrating the Saka New Year (Nyepi Day) in a holy and peaceful state.
Interestingly, besides being a religious ceremony, the Ogoh-Ogoh celebration also includes a competition. This competition brings together talented young men and women who create masterpieces in the form of sculptures. Uniquely, these works of art are made using environmentally friendly materials, even recycled ones. This demonstrates that this celebration is not simply a beautiful work of art, but also a demonstration of environmental awareness.
The statues are also quite impressive, reaching between 4 and 12 meters in height, even several times the height of an adult man. Their extraordinary height, coupled with their weight, often requires a significant amount of labor. The process can take weeks. From sketching to creating the frame, to painting, which creates a realistic image, this is a lengthy process.
Considering the enormous effort involved, the involvement of many people, the lengthy work period, and the significant costs involved, the prizes awarded to the winners are certainly substantial. Winners receive certificates, trophies, cash prizes, and even prize money. In larger cities (district level), cash prizes can reach fifty million rupiah, and even hundreds of millions of rupiah in prize money. The significant effort is certainly worth the reward, right?
It’s not just about creating a “scary” statue. The artwork created must also contain a profound meaning behind the figure. The philosophy applied to the sculpture also influences the judging process. Beauty and creativity are equally important. The artwork can even evoke a profound aura from the giant statue. A terrifying and mystical aura can sometimes be felt by the strong intuition of those who witness it, causing both goosebumps and awe.
As can be seen here, there are many other values embedded in the ogoh-ogoh celebration. This art form preserves culture by fostering creativity in its various activities. It’s not just about creating sculptures, but also interspersed with other arts such as traditional dance and music, and even keeping Hindu literature alive. Furthermore, it teaches moral values to the younger generation, who will carry on this culture and its values into the future, ensuring its preservation.
Indonesia is a country with diverse cultures, not only for viewing but also for learning from each tradition. Bali is one region that preserves these ancestral values, which still exist today. In this era of modernization, the younger generation needs to be instilled with the moral values taught through tradition so they can be preserved for future generations. The tradition I discussed earlier, the ogoh-ogoh, is not merely a festive legacy; it also instills moral, religious, creative, and collaborative values, while simultaneously preserving cultural heritage from generation to generation.
From this discussion, I understand that the existence of a traditional belief system does not mean we all believe in it. But this is about tolerance of differences. Mutual understanding and respect for beliefs fosters a sense of togetherness amidst diversity. Differences become strengths, rather than weaknesses that can lead to conflict or even mutual disparagement. Besides strengthening relationships, this also preserves a national identity that deserves to be preserved and proud of.
By: Aisya Zukhrufa Jannah
Write and Win: Participate in Creative writing Contest & International Essay Contest and win fabulous prizes.
About the Author
